FROM RANGER TO ATTORNEY:
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO LAW SCHOOL AFTER MILITARY SERVICE

Transitioning from military service to the legal profession is a significant shift, and law school can be one of the most challenging—and rewarding—steps along that path. The discipline, resilience, and commitment you developed in uniform can serve you well in the study and practice of law, but success will require careful planning and a clear understanding of your goals. Whether you aspire to join a large corporate firm, build a career in public service, or focus on a specialized area of practice, the choices you make before and during law school will shape the opportunities available to you. This guide is designed to help you think strategically about those choices and navigate the journey from service member to attorney with purpose and clarity.

Thinking Through Your Goals

Before you apply to law school, it is worth taking the time to think deeply about what you want your career and life to look like. Are you sure you understand what a career in law entails? Do you see yourself in a large or small firm? What type of law sparks your interest? Where do you want to live, and how do you see your career fitting alongside your commitments to family, friends, and personal pursuits? Your answers to these questions will shape not only where you apply but also how you approach your legal education.

Is Big Law the Best Fit for You?

If your ambition is to work in a large, prestigious firm serving corporate clients, the most direct path is through a top-tier law school combined with graduating near the top of your class. Historically, these firms recruited almost exclusively through the on-campus interview process at highly ranked schools. Recently, however, more firms have begun hiring through alternative means such as direct applications. Regardless of the method, hiring decisions are usually made with limited information: your GPA or class rank at the time of application, your pre-law school professional record, and your performance during multiple rounds of interviews. Some firms also request a writing sample, and the quality of that work can be decisive. A strong writing sample can elevate a good interview into an offer, while a poor one can erase an otherwise positive impression.

Securing a summer associate position with one of these firms between your second and third years can be an excellent opportunity, even if you ultimately decide against Big Law as a long-term career. In recent years the application cycle for these positions has moved up drastically, often requiring students to apply at the beginning of their 1L summer. This means that you will likely have to decide whether this type of experience interests you even before you get any experience in a law firm or agency.  Summer jobs at large firms will immerse you in the life of an associate, with the firm investing time and resources in making a strong impression. If you perform well, a full-time offer may follow. This decision should not be made lightly. Just like Ranger Battalion, large firms have high attrition rates and the competition among peers is a reality of life. The compensation is substantial - often starting above $225,000 - but the expectation of billing 2,200 hours a year or more demands a significant personal sacrifice. In addition, junior associates at large firms rarely enter a courtroom, as client stakes and firm structures tend to keep litigation work in the hands of more senior attorneys. If your long-term goal involves frequent courtroom work, this may not be the best fit.  

Considering Practice-Focused Goals

If your career goals are not centered on maximizing income or joining a major firm, you may want to prioritize schools that emphasize the development of practical or specialized legal skills over prestige. Many smaller or lower-ranked schools have strong clinical and trial advocacy programs, while some Ivy League institutions—Harvard being a notable exception—have weaker reputations in these areas. Choosing a school with a strong program in your intended practice area can provide both a deeper skill set and a professional network aligned with your career goals. For example, someone planning to work as a criminal defense attorney or prosecutor in Philadelphia would likely find more value at Temple, a school with one of the top trial advocacy programs in the country, than at an out-of-state Ivy League school. Similarly, Stetson University in Florida has an outstanding trial advocacy program, and certain other schools, such as the University of Illinois–Chicago and Detroit Mercy, are well regarded for programs in veterans law. One way to determine whether a law school would be a good fit is to look at the list of clinical programs the school provides. Clinics allow law students to represent real clients in legal matters under the supervision of faculty or practicing attorneys. For example, if you want to advocate for clients with disabilities, then it may be beneficial to prioritize a school like American University’s Washington College of Law or Georgia State University College of Law, which have disability rights law clinics. 

Where you study can also influence the professional relationships you build. Someone aiming for entertainment law will find a strategic advantage in attending a Southern California school with a strong program in that area, not only because of the curriculum but also because of the local industry connections. Not only that, if you know the city, state, or region in which you want to practice, you will likely have more job opportunities available to you by going to law school in that location than if you went to law school elsewhere. For example, if you want to practice in Wisconsin, or somewhere in the midwest generally, you would likely be better suited to go to law school at University of Wisconsin or Marquette Law School than you would going to a law school in Arizona.  One reason for this is because Wisconsin offers what is called “diploma privilege,” which allows students who graduate from a law school in Wisconsin to be automatically admitted to the Wisconsin Bar following graduation.  Additionally, the career and professional development offices at schools in Wisconsin will typically be able to provide more interview and networking opportunities at firms and agencies in that region (e.g. Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, etc.) than a law school in Arizona would. Similarly, career and placement offices at schools on the east coast will generally be better positioned to provide interview and networking opportunities at firms and agencies along the Eastern seaboard than schools in Southern California or the Pacific Northwest.

The Universally Coveted Skill: Writing

No matter your chosen path, writing is one of the most valuable skills you can develop in law school. While television and movies focus on courtroom drama, most attorneys—especially early in their careers—spend far more time reading, researching, and writing than arguing cases before a judge. A well-crafted piece of writing can impress supervisors, while poor writing can limit your opportunities. Make it a habit to proofread carefully, double check your citations, read your work aloud, and, when possible, have another set of eyes review it before it reaches a partner or client.

The Business of Law

Finally, remember that law is a business, and a legal practice can only survive if it has clients. If you join a large firm, you may not be expected to bring in clients for several years, but developing your professional network should start on day one. Networking is not about making a sales pitch; it is about building genuine relationships over time. Colleagues and acquaintances you meet early in your career, even in unrelated fields, can later become important referral sources as everyone’s careers progress. People refer work to attorneys they trust, and trust is built through consistent professionalism, good work, and genuine interest in others. In the end, the most successful practices are built on the twin foundations of strong legal skills and strong relationships—both of which take time, effort, and intentionality to develop.

-Travis West, TRF Board Member